Driving controlling apparatus for air conditioner having plural compressors and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, and a method thereof. The apparatus comprises a flow amount distribution resistor installed at an outlet of an expansion valve, for passing a certain amount of refrigerant; and a controlling unit for detecting a current load and outputting a control signal so as to introduce a certain amount of refrigerant into the flow amount distribution resistor based on a driving mode corresponding to the detected load.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2005-0073494, filed on Aug. 10, 2005, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirely.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors capable of preventing decrease of a driving efficiency due to increase of consumption power by controlling an amount of a refrigerant discharged from a condenser according to a compressor driving capacity, and a method thereof.

2. Description of the Background Art

Generally, an air conditioner serves to lower an indoor temperature by using a refrigerating cycle of a refrigerant compressed into a high temperature and a high pressure by a compressor.

When the air conditioner is provided two compressors, the two compressors are selectively driven according to a refrigerating load.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a construction of an air conditioner having two compressors in accordance with the related art.

As shown, the related art air conditioner comprises a first compressor 10 and a second compressor 20 selectively operated for varying a compression amount of a refrigerant; a condenser 1 for condensing a refrigerant compressed by the first compressor 10 and the second compressor 20; an expansion valve 2 for expanding a refrigerant condensed by the condenser 1; and an evaporator 3 for heat-exchanging a refrigerant expanded by the expansion valve 2 with indoor air.

It is assumed that the first compressor 10 is an inverter-type small capacity compressor and the second compressor 20 is a constant-speed type large capacity compressor.

Suction pipes 11 and 21 of the first compressor 10 and the second compressor 20 are connected to hoses 31 and 32 diverged from a suction hose 30, respectively. Also, discharge pipes 12 and 22 of the first compressor 10 and the second compressor 20 are connected to hoses 41 and 42 diverged from a discharge hose 40, respectively.

Suction valves 33 and 34 and the discharge valves 43 and 44 selectively opened and closed by manually or by a controlling unit (not shown) such as a microcomputer are connected to the diverged hoses 31, 32, 41, and 42, respectively.

The air conditioner having two compressors performs a refrigerating operation by selectively driving the first compressor 10 and the second compressor 20 according to a refrigerating load.

More concretely, when the refrigerating load is small, only the first compressor 10 is driven. When the refrigerating load is medium, only the second compressor 20 is driven. On the contrary, when the refrigerating load is large, both the first compressor 10 and the second compressor 20 are operated thereby to vary a compression amount of a refrigerant required for a cooling operation.

When a refrigerant is compressed by the first compressor 10 or the second compressor 20 so as to perform a refrigerating cycle, lubricant inside the first compressor 10 and the second compressor 20 is mixed with the refrigerant thus to be discharged. The discharged lubricant performs a refrigerating cycle, and then is re-sucked into the first compressor 10 and the second compressor 20 via an accumulator (not shown).

Herein, a refrigerant amount to be introduced into the compressor is set in correspondence with a compressor having a capacity of 100% for a constant cooling capability.

However, when the system is driven in a minimum capacity driving mode (driving of only one compressor), the refrigerant amount to be introduced into a compressor having a capacity of 100% increases a consumption power due to an excessive refrigerant amount thereby to lower a driving efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors capable of preventing increase of consumption power and decrease of a driving efficiency due to an excessive refrigerant by controlling an amount of a refrigerant discharged from a condenser according to a compressor driving capacity, and a method thereof.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, comprising: a refrigerant accumulating unit for accumulating a certain amount of refrigerant; and a controlling unit for selecting a driving mode based on a current driving load, and controlling the refrigerant accumulating unit based on the selected driving mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, comprising: a switching unit installed between a condensing unit and an expansion valve, for switching a refrigerant flow on double flow paths that connect the condensing unit to the expansion valve by a controlling signal; a refrigerant accumulating unit installed between the condensing unit and the expansion valve, for accumulating a certain amount of refrigerant; and a controlling unit for selecting a driving mode based on a current driving load, and controlling the switching unit based on the selected driving mode.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is also provided a driving controlling method for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, comprising: detecting a current driving load, and selecting a driving mode based on the detected driving load; analyzing the driving mode, and controlling a refrigerant circulation amount based on the analyzed result

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a driving controlling method for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, comprising: detecting a current driving load, and selecting a driving mode based on the detected driving load; analyzing the driving mode; when the driving mode is a maximum capacity driving mode, introducing a refrigerant discharged from a condensing unit into an expansion valve; and when the driving mode is a minimum capacity driving mode, partially accumulating a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit in a refrigerant accumulating unit, and then introducing the rest refrigerant having not accumulated in the refrigerant accumulating unit into the expansion valve.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a view showing a construction of an air conditioner having two compressors in accordance with the related art;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors according to the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a driving controlling method for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, will be explained a driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors capable of preventing decrease of a driving efficiency due to increase of consumption power by controlling an amount of a refrigerant discharged from a condenser according to a compressor driving capacity, and a method thereof.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors according to the present invention.

As shown, the driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors according to the present invention, comprises a switching unit 100 a refrigerant accumulating unit 200, and a controlling unit 300.

The switching unit 100 is installed at an outlet of a condensing unit and is switched by a controlling signal, thereby controlling a flow of a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit.

More concretely, the switching unit 100 is installed between a condensing unit and an expansion valve, and selects one of double flow paths on which a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit is to flow.

As the switching unit 100, a three-way valve or an ON/OFF valve installed at each flow path is used.

The refrigerant accumulating unit 200 accumulates a certain amount of refrigerant introduced into the system through the switching unit 100, thereby decreasing an amount of a refrigerant flowing on the system.

More concretely, when the compressors are driven in a minimum capacity driving mode, the refrigerant accumulating unit 200 accumulates a refrigerant excessively introduced into the system thereby to circulate only a required amount of refrigerant to a refrigerating cycle.

The controlling unit 300 detects a current load, selects a driving mode based on the detected load, and outputs a control signal for controlling the switching unit 100 based on the selected driving mode.

Herein, the controlling unit 300 detects an indoor temperature, and compares the detected indoor temperature with a user's preset temperature thereby to detect a current load. Otherwise, the controlling unit 300 detects an outdoor temperature, and compares the detected outdoor temperature with a reference temperature thereby to detect a current load.

When the compressors are driven in a maximum capacity driving mode, the controlling unit 300 switches the switching unit 100 so as to shield a refrigerant flow to the refrigerant accumulating unit 200, and introduces a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit into the expansion valve.

On the contrary, when the compressors are driven in a minimum capacity driving mode, the controlling unit 300 switches the switching unit 100 thereby to partially accumulate a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit in the refrigerant accumulating unit 200 and to introduce the rest refrigerant having not accumulated in the refrigerant accumulating unit 200 into the expansion valve.

The operation will be explained with reference to FIG. 3.

First, the controlling unit 300 detects a current driving load (SP1), and selects a compressor driving capacity based on the detected driving load.

More concretely, when a current driving load is judged to be an over-load, a maximum capacity driving mode is selected. On the contrary, when a current driving load is judged to be a low load, a minimum capacity driving mode is selected.

For instance, when the compressors are driven in a maximum capacity driving mode, two compressors are simultaneously driven. On the contrary, when the compressors are driven in a minimum capacity driving mode, only one compressor, mainly one compressor having a smaller capacity is driven.

Then, the controlling unit 300 controls the switching unit 100 so that an amount of a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit can be controlled according to the selected driving mode (SP3), thereby controlling a refrigerant circulation amount (SP4).

More concretely, when the compressors are driven in a maximum capacity driving mode, the controlling unit 300 switches the switching unit 100 so as to shield a refrigerant flow to the refrigerant accumulating unit 200, and introduces a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit into the expansion valve.

On the contrary, when the compressors are driven in a minimum capacity driving mode, the controlling unit 300 switches the switching unit 100 thereby to partially accumulate a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit in the refrigerant accumulating unit 200 and to introduce the rest refrigerant having not accumulated in the refrigerant accumulating unit 200 into the expansion valve.

As aforementioned, in the driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors according to the present invention, double flow paths having the refrigerant accumulating unit are provided at the outlet of the condensing unit. Accordingly, an amount of a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit is controlled according to a compressor driving capacity, thereby preventing decrease of a driving efficiency and increase of consumption power due to an excessive refrigerant.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. 

1. A driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, comprising: a refrigerant accumulating unit for accumulating a certain amount of refrigerant; and a controlling unit for selecting a driving mode based on a current driving load, and controlling the refrigerant accumulating unit based on the selected driving mode.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the refrigerant accumulating unit is installed at one of double flow paths between a condensing unit and an expansion valve.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a switching unit installed between a condensing unit and an expansion valve, for switching a refrigerant flow on double flow paths that connect the condensing unit and the expansion valve to each other.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressor is driven in a maximum capacity driving mode, the controlling unit introduces a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit into the expansion valve.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the compressor is driven in a minimum capacity driving mode, the controlling unit introduces a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit into the expansion valve via a flow path where the refrigerant accumulating unit is installed.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlling unit detects an indoor temperature, and compares the detected indoor temperature with a user's preset temperature thereby to detect a current load.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controlling unit detects an outdoor temperature, and compares the detected outdoor temperature with a reference temperature thereby to detect a current load.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the compressors are driven in a minimum capacity driving mode, the refrigerant accumulating unit is set to have a size enough to accumulate an optimum refrigerant.
 9. A driving controlling apparatus for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, comprising: a switching unit installed between a condensing unit and an expansion valve, for switching a refrigerant flow on double flow paths that connect the condensing unit to the expansion valve by a controlling signal; a refrigerant accumulating unit installed between the condensing unit and the expansion valve, for accumulating a certain amount of refrigerant; and a controlling unit for selecting a driving mode based on a current driving load, and controlling the switching unit based on the selected driving mode.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the refrigerant accumulating unit is installed at one of double flow paths between the condensing unit and the expansion valve.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the compressor is driven in a maximum capacity driving mode, the controlling unit introduces a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit into the expansion valve.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the compressor is driven in a minimum capacity driving mode, the controlling unit introduces a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit into the expansion valve via a flow path where the refrigerant accumulating unit is installed.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controlling unit detects an indoor temperature, and compares the detected indoor temperature with a user's preset temperature thereby to detect a driving load.
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controlling unit detects an outdoor temperature, and compares the detected outdoor temperature with a reference temperature thereby to detect a current load.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein when the compressors are driven in a minimum capacity driving mode, the refrigerant accumulating unit is set to have a size enough to accumulate an optimum refrigerant.
 16. A driving controlling method for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, comprising: detecting a current driving load, and selecting a driving mode based on the detected driving load; analyzing the driving mode, and controlling a refrigerant circulation amount based on the analyzed result.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of selecting a compressor driving mode comprises: detecting an indoor temperature; and comparing the detected indoor temperature with a user's preset temperature thereby detecting a current load.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of selecting a compressor driving mode comprises: detecting an outdoor temperature; and comparing the detected outdoor temperature with a reference temperature thereby detecting a current load.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of controlling a refrigerant circulation amount comprises introducing a refrigerant discharged from a condensing unit into an expansion valve when the compressors are driven in a maximum capacity driving mode.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of controlling a refrigerant circulation amount comprises: when the compressors are driven in a minimum capacity driving mode, partially accumulating a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit in a refrigerant accumulating unit, and then introducing the rest refrigerant having not accumulated in the refrigerant accumulating unit into the expansion valve.
 21. A driving controlling method for an air conditioner having a plurality of compressors, comprising: detecting a current driving load, and selecting a driving mode based on the detected driving load; analyzing the driving mode; when the driving mode is a maximum capacity driving mode, introducing a refrigerant discharged from a condensing unit into an expansion valve; and when the driving mode is a minimum capacity driving mode, partially accumulating a refrigerant discharged from the condensing unit in a refrigerant accumulating unit, and then introducing the rest refrigerant having not accumulated in the refrigerant accumulating unit into the expansion valve. 